Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-12-23
MisGellame1MS.
WHAT CHRISTMAS BROUGHT.

That fortune is very blind and foolish
in the distribution of her gifts there car
be no doubt, and no better proof OF thil
could be found, so every one said, thar
in the person of Constance Rider. Was
it not enough that she was M acknow.
edged beauty and possessed the mos
charming manners Why, then, should
she have been blest with the additions
advantage of an immense fortune, wher
so many plain girls we're porSionless
As she stands now before her mirror
she is certainly beautiful picture, save
for an unmistakable look of care on her
fair face.
Jack will soon be here, she thinks,
show will he meet me will he reproach
me and call me worldly? Well, sup
pose | am worldly. Oh, if | only could
forget him"
Jack Tanderlyn had been Constance
friend and unavowed lover ever since
she can remember; he had been her
boyish sweetheart, but as she advanced
toward womanhood misfortune overlook
his father and Jack was too proud to
en- gage the heiress until his position in
the world was improved. One year ago
he had taken bis leave for Mexico,
promising that no would DO with her
the next Christmas eve. They had
parted in the presence Of her mother,
but chance gave them one moment
alone and in that their lips met and
look of unspoken love had passed be-
tween Thorn. Tidings had come that
Jack was rapidly building up the for
tunes of his house. and though there
had been no communication between
them Constance does not question Jacks
faith; but still she listens trcmblingly
for the sound of wheels which will herald
his approach. At last it is heard, and
CHANGING furtively out of the window,
she sees again the handsome face and
form which have been so long enshrincd
in her heart Of hearts.
Mrs. Rider met her expected guest
and drew him into her private room
If she could have prevented his comm 6
she would have gladly done so, but
Jack had been Christmas visitor fol
so many years that TO refuse his visit
would have been to admit he was Of
more importance than was desirable I'M
der the circumstances.
"And Constance p no demanded won
dering at her absence.
my dear boy. Constance preferred
that you should hear from me Of her en-.
gagement"
"Her engagement
Eyes, my dear Jack" Mrs. Rider
went on, turning her gaze steadily upon
the snowy world without, ito the Hon
Algernon Fitzurge. Of England"
There was brief pause, and then
Jack recovered his voice.
"Mrs. Rider, would have spoken
long ago, but my position was uncertain
Now / can ask for Constance without
mourning the slur Of being fortune.
hunter. I love her, have loved her
all my life, and won't give her III
without struggle"
"My dear boy, do be calm. Now
don't lot us have anything to mar oul
pleasant Christmas, and don't try to dis
turb Constance"
"Let me sec her, and hear from her
own lips that she prefers this man, and
I will go"
eyes, you shall see her."
"Alone, and now p
eyes, If you will promise to be cain
aud polite TO Mr.. Fitzurge, who is will
US, and spends Christmas Day"
II promise, and If find Constanc
has chosen tho better man | will no
utter one word. Perhaps | had bette
sec him first" 49,
Mrs. Rider departed to give Con
stance the particulars Of the interview
but it was not until both her guest
were in the drawing-room that Constanc
dcaeended She greeted Jack calmly
but successfully avoided bis efforts
meet her eyes. II had been the custoI
J with the Riders always to spend the